Most of my life it seems I have struggled with understanding christianity. I want to understand first in my mind, understand how it works. But I seem to be only left with an existential leap in the dark. I am not sure why this perhaps because of philosophy or theology I read. I was in strong reaction to how I understood calvinistic theology even as a kid. Maybe I didn't understand it - I don't remember but I did have discussions about it. I think I later read Kierkegarrd and Barth and Bultmann, and accepted some of that, but I felt that left me without spiritual kinship to my dad, who was a missionary, I just felt my dad was of a whole different outlook spiritually. So I went someway in the modernist direction, while my dad remained I suppose in the Bible believing camp.
My dad passed away many years ago, my mother is still alive, but on in years, and at times we have discussions in which I sometimes press her for an answer on some question about the Bible.
This is the point of my thread - I have been told growing up to believe the Bible, and that seems to mean simply believe what it says (however some writers tell me I should try to be persuaded that the Bible is true first before I believe - but its truth was not really in question for my parents. But if I ask about a verse no one can answer, except by saying that they would need to read that portion of scripture again.
So it happened tonight I was talking about several things and I went on to the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats and the verse "...whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." And I asked "Who does that refer to, who is Jesus talking about here when he says the least of these brothers and sisters of mine?"
Now its easy to go and look up that verse in a commentary and see what they say, and I have done that sometimes, but I tend to not stop at one commentary and end up with five answers!!!!
But who are the brothers and sisters Jesus speaks about?
You see it feels like I am expected at times to take a blind leap without understanding. I don't think this is a "salvation" verse. But I've got the impression that as far as salvation its a case of "woe be to you, if you move an inch without the grace of God, or if you make faith a work." etc.
God doesn't seem real to me, I know there was a time long ago when I was fearful of God, but I don't know, I think I accepted reality was secular at some point.
When one talks about "believing the Bible", as you say; they are (or should be) meaing to also be saying: "rightly dividing the Word of Truth", friend, as God tells us. An earnest seeker needs to read the four Gospels in the New Testament FIRST to learn about salvation of their soul and assurance of Heaven. Have you ever read John 3; John 14; Romans 8; etc. ---and all the Gospels?
One can then also read the Epistles to learn about Church Truth and the Christian life. Religious thoughts is not what God has to say, but holding to HIS Word as given us!
If you would like some help with this, feel free to write me personally at Conversation page herein and we can chat over such things. -1watchman
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